MacKinnon, Jones Top NHL Draft Charts

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The Buffalo Sabres have two picks in the first round of Sunday's NHL draft. The Sabres are scheduled to pick at the eighth spot and again at number 16.

Buffalo also has two key players who maybe moved if not at the draft then perhaps shortly after. Goaltender Ryan Miller and forward Thomas Vanek may not fit into the Sabres rebuilding plans. Both have a year remaining on their contracts.

As for the top of the NHL draft being held Sunday in New Jersey. The Colorado Avalanche have plenty to choose from with the first pick of a talent-rich NHL draft.

Nathan MacKinnon and Seth Jones. Jonathan Drouin and Aleksander Barkov. They're all among the candidates to go first Sunday at the Prudential Center.

Colorado won the draft lottery and has flirted with the idea of picking a puck-moving defenseman in Jones. But it appears the Avalanche are leaning toward a forward to take No. 1 overall, possibly the 17-year-old MacKinnon.

MacKinnon, a 6-foot, 182-pound center, is a solid two-way presence with strong hands, stick handling and skating skills. He's considered a natural scorer and very good puck distributor.

The Florida Panthers hold the second draft pick and the Tampa Bay Lightning are No. 3.